Clipping advice?

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Charli1892

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I have always had my horse clipped, but this year im thinking of giving it a go myself, my horse is extremely good to be clipped (he practically falls asleep) so he is the perfect candidate for practice, but im a bit worried about messing up and making him look stupid. I will most likely leave his legs so i need to get the lines there straight, im also a bit worried about how difficult it would be doing in between his front legs and places like that, is it easier than i think?

Basically any advice would be very much appreciated! Thanks :D
 
Steady hands & still horse = Straight lines!
Just practise straight lines on the hair which is going to come off anyway.

Also between legs and behind elbows can be fiddly, especially if your horse has lots of skin in those areas. To help you out a bit and to avoid nipping the horse with the blades, get some body to lift your horses leg forward and upwards to make the flabby skin as flat as possible :)
 
Lines along the leg are pretty easy just follow the muscle line thats already there. Once youve started the line dont take the clippers off untill your finished there be smoother that way. Also chalk the before you start so youve got guide lines there makes life a little easier, as for under the arms, get somebody to hold his leg forwards, use the big clippers for the easisest bits then you may find it easier to use some smaller clippers to tidy up round the armpits and also tidy up round the heads. Also very usefull for horses that are tickly roung the sheaths and teeats.:)
 
I did Jasper for the first time last year, so I know how you're feeling! My tips would be:
  • Wear overalls - clipping can be an itchy business!
  • Draw out your lines in chalk first.
  • If you do a hunter clip, draw around a numnah to get the saddle shape accurately.
  • If unsure, don't take too much off - you can always take more off afterwards, but you can't stick it back on! :D
  • Bath them the day before - a clean horse is much easier to clip. A light spray of Showsheen while they are damp helps too.
  • Afterwards, give them a hot-clothing with a capful of Dettol and some Lavender Wash - makes them shine and removes all those annoying, itchy bits of hair.
  • To do awkward areas like between the front legs, get someone to hold a leg and stretch it forwards.
  • Oil your blades regularly.
  • Don't worry - if it goes wrong you could just whip it all off!! :D lol It will grow back!!

Good luck! x
 
I went to a clipping demo at clippersharp where they let you have a go. I already had the clippers but needed a bit more confidence to do it, both my horses are good to clip. I bought some trimmers to do the tricky areas like between their front legs and back legs.
 
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